Camden's Redemption (Gloves Off #4)(62)

“Enough of that,” Ashleigh snapped. “Things happen for a reason. Maybe this is what Camden needs. He loves you, Brooklyn.”

A knock sounded on the door and I gasped. Gabby grabbed Ashleigh’s robe out of the bathroom and threw it over me so she could go to the door. As soon as I had it tied at my waist, she nodded at me and opened the door. “Camden,” she shrieked. “Oh my goodness, what are you doing here? Shouldn’t you be with Ryley?”

“Yeah, but we have thirty minutes before show time. I wanted to see how Brooklyn’s doing. She didn’t look like she felt well this morning.”

With the pregnancy test in my hand, I held it tight and stood there frozen in place. Ashleigh hugged me and rubbed a hand soothingly up and down my back. “This is your chance to talk to him. You can do it. Ryley surprised me too and has turned into the best man I know. I’m sure Camden can be the same for you. I’ll put a pair of panty hose in the bathroom so you can slip them on after you get done.” She found a pair and set them on the bathroom counter.

Winking at me, she joined Gabby at the door. “Let’s go,” she said, opening the door wide. “I think they need some privacy.”

Camden’s brows furrowed as Ashleigh and Gabby walked past, but then his gaze landed on me. I hid my hand inside the sleeve so he wouldn’t see the test. “Shouldn’t you be dressed already?” he asked, shutting the door.

“I had a problem with the zipper. I think it’s fixed now.”

Licking his lips, he grabbed the tie around my waist, slowly undoing it. “I can help you get dressed if you want. Hopefully, you’re feeling better. You had me worried.”

Before he could get the robe fully untied, I grabbed his hand and squeezed. “Stop.”

Immediately, he stopped and stepped back, his worried gaze searching mine. “What’s going on? You’re not acting right.”

Taking a deep breath, I blew it out slowly and closed the distance. “I love you. You know that right?”

“Holy f*ck, you’re not trying to break up with me are you?”

“No,” I gasped. “I was just asking the question.”

“Then yes, I know you love me. Or I think you still do. Right now I’m having doubts. Did I do something wrong?”

Shaking my head, I averted my gaze. “You didn’t do anything wrong. There’s just something I might need to tell you.” We stood in silence while I worked up the nerve to tell him. Words failing me, I opened my hand to reveal the test.

Eyes wide, he stared at it, looked up at me, and then stared at it again. “Is that what I think it is?”

I nodded and felt the burn slowly build behind my eyes. I didn’t want to cry, but if I was pregnant and he didn’t want the baby, I’d lose it for sure. “I don’t know if that’s why I’ve been sick, but Ashleigh seems to think I should take it. I promise I’m on the pill. I never would’ve tried to get pregnant on purpose.”

His eyes narrowed, his voice rough. “Is that what you think I’d believe? For f*ck’s sake, Brooklyn, you should know me better than that by now.” The tears started to fall and before I could wipe them away, he did it for me. “I love you, baby. We live together. Does that not show you that I’m serious? If you’re pregnant, we’ll get through it together. You have my promise.”

“And if I’m not?” I asked.

He chuckled lightly and kissed me on the lips. “Then one day, I’m sure it’ll happen. We’ll figure it out one step at a time.” Taking the test from my grasp, he opened it up and handed it to me. “As soon as you get done, open the door and we’ll look together.”

Nodding, I blew out a shaky breath and disappeared into the bathroom. It took all the strength I had to even get my bladder to work. But once it was all said and done, I rolled up some toilet paper and set the test on top of it on the counter. After I washed my hands, I opened the door and ran straight into his arms.

“Here we go,” I said.

“How long does it usually take for the results?”

“About one to two minutes I think. I’ve never had to take one before.”

He chuckled. “Thank God for that. Tell me when you’re ready.”

Looking up into his crystal blue eyes, I was afraid of what I would see. However, all I saw was love, and a bond so deep it scared me. I was happy to find something true, but also terrified that I could lose it in the blink of an eye.

“I think I’m ready,” I whispered.

With his hand in mine, he kept his attention on me until we got into the bathroom. “All right, let’s do this.”





Three Weeks Later




STANDING THERE IN the shadows, I watched Brooklyn and Gabby workout together. She had her long, blonde hair pulled high into a ponytail, wearing a black sports bra and red shorts. Brooklyn’s routine had toned down a bit since we received confirmation from the doctor’s office. She was pregnant with our baby—my son or daughter.

Looking at her now, you couldn’t even tell she was carrying, even though she’d begged to differ. She was only eight weeks along. The night of my brother’s wedding turned into a double celebration. The news traveled fast once Gabby found out. My family was ecstatic, and I was scared shitless.